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Winter Haven Woman Being Held After Lakeland Shooting Incident Leaves One Man Dead & Another Woman Critically Injured

Carl Fish
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Winter Haven Woman Being Held After Lakeland Shooting Incident Leaves One Man Dead & Another Woman Critically Injured

LAKELAND, FL (July 29, 2023) – On Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 1:51 a.m., a shooting occurred outside the Jade Fox Lounge, 3010 Lakeland Highlands Road. Two officers, working an off-duty detail at the business, were already on scene when a disturbance erupted in the parking lot, and the shooting occurred. One victim, a 25-year-old male, was transported to the hospital by a personal vehicle. Despite the best efforts of emergency medical professionals, he was pronounced deceased a short time later. The second victim, a 48-year-old female, was transported by ambulance with critical injuries and remains hospitalized.

Jamilah Johnson, age 23, was taken into custody, and a firearm was also recovered at the scene. It was later learned that the gun had been reported stolen in 2015. At this time, Johnson has been charged with Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

Detectives are actively working to gather all evidence to determine if any additional persons were involved in the shooting. 

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information to contact Detective Neal Robertson at [email protected]. 



Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:

 * Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)

 * From a cell phone, dial **TIPS

 * Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

 * Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.

Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.

This remains an open and active investigation. The victims’ names are being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law. No additional information is available at this time.

Polk County Parks & Rec Looking For Teen Volunteers To Assist With Fall Programming And Special Events

Allison
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Polk County Parks & Rec Looking For Teen Volunteers To Assist With Fall Programming And Special Events

Polk County Parks & Rec

We are looking for teen volunteers to assist with our fall programming and special events! Click on the link to view our volunteer opportunities:

https://bit.ly/23-PCPRVolunteer

Volunteer Requirements:

  • Teens can earn volunteer hours for scholarships or graduation
  • All volunteers must be 14 years or older
  • We do not accept court ordered volunteers

Polk County Approves Waste Collection Contracts

Carl Fish
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Polk County Approves Waste Collection Contracts

BARTOW, Fla. (July 25, 2023) – FCC Environmental Services Florida, LLC and GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC have been selected to provide curbside residential solid waste collection services to Polk County Oct. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2029. The current waste collection contracts end on Sept. 30, 2024.

 

FCC will service Area 1 of Polk County. Area 1 encompasses about 65,000 dwelling units in the northwest quadrant of the county. The first year of the contract is valued at $16.9 million. FCC currently services this quadrant.

 

GFL will service Area 2 of Polk County. Area 2 encompasses about 65,000 dwelling units in the northeast quadrant of the county. The first year of the contract is valued at $22.3 million.

 

The two contracts differ in value because of the size difference between the two areas. GFL drivers will log more miles than the FCC drivers.

 

Polk County Waste & Recycling will service Area 3, which encompasses the southern portion of the county. The county’s residents are less condensed in Area 3, south of SR-60, and Waste & Recycling will service about 13,000 dwelling units.

Pair Charged With Armed Robbery Over Cell Phone Victim Was Selling At Auburndale Walmart Parking Lot

Carl Fish
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Pair Charged With Armed Robbery Over Cell Phone Victim Was Selling At Auburndale Walmart Parking Lot

On July 24, 2023, at about 0100 hours, members of the Auburndale Police Department (APD) responded to the Walmart located at 2120 U.S. Highway 92 West regarding an in-progress armed robbery.  

 

Upon arrival, APD officers learned the victim arranged to meet the suspects to sell them a cell phone. During the transaction, one of the suspects produced a handgun and held it to the victim’s head and chest stating, “I will kill you” and forcefully stole the cell phone. 

 

The victim was able to provide very good descriptions of the vehicle, the firearm, the suspects, and a partial tag number.  Investigation through law enforcement technology indicated the suspects may have been going toward Davenport, and all information was immediately shared with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).  PCSO observed the vehicle on Interstate 4 (I4) eastbound near exit 55. A traffic stop was conducted by PCSO without incident.

 

The victim was taken to the traffic stop on I4 and positively identified the two suspects.  The firearm and the victim’s cellular phone were recovered from the vehicle.  

 

APD detectives have charged Pedro Pablo Rivera (H/M, DOB: 02/26/2002) from Orlando, FL with robbery with a firearm, a life felony, and felony petit theft. Also charged in this case is Maria Velazquez-Almanza (H/F, DOB: 01/16/2004) also from Orlando, Fl with robbery with a firearm, a life felony, improper exhibition of a firearm, and petit theft.

 

As a result of their traffic stop, PCSO has charged Rivera with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of cannabis under 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia. PCSO charged Velazquez-Almanza with six additional misdemeanors for traffic and cannabis possession related charges.

 

As a reminder, APD suggests business transactions with unfamiliar people should take place during business hours, and even consider making such transactions in the police department lobby or other such location in public view.

Drunk Driver Charged With Killing 36 Yr Old Winter Haven Woman Early Sunday Morning

Carl Fish
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Drunk Driver Charged With Killing 36 Yr Old Winter Haven Woman Early Sunday Morning

The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting one local woman killed and another facing DUI Manslaughter charges following deadly crash early Sunday morning.

At approximately 4:10am a sedan, driven by Quarpaesha Prather, was traveling eastbound on SR-400 in the outside lane approaching Galloway Road. At the same time another sedan, driven by the victim, was traveling eastbound on SR-400 ahead of the first vehicle. Prather’s vehicle overtook and collided with the rear of the victims vehicle. The impact caused the victims vehicle to rotate and overturn onto the South shoulder of the highway where the victim was ejected and suffered fatal injuries. Post-impact, Prathers vehicle also traveled to final rest along the south shoulder. FHP Troopers later arrested Quarpaesha Raquel Prather for DUI Manslaughter and delivered her to the Polk County Jail.

The Florida Highway Patrol does not release the name of victims pursuant to Marsy’s Law.

A 44 yr old in the victim’s vehicle was transported for medical attention.

Pregnant Women And Unborn Child Killed In Apparent Murder Suicide

Carl Fish
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0
Pregnant Women And Unborn Child Killed In Apparent Murder Suicide

Pregnant woman and her unborn baby killed in apparent domestic-related double murder suicide

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent double murder suicide that occurred in the Inwood area of Winter Haven on Friday, July 21, 2023. The suspect, 26-year-old Riley Groover, fatally shot the pregnant female victim multiple times before fatally shooting himself.

The incident occurred just after 7:00 p.m. outside in a neighborhood in front of several witnesses near their home located on Central Avenue West.

At this stage in the investigation it’s clear that this is a domestic-related double murder suicide.

According to family members, the couple have argued in the past, and it has turned physical. None of those incidents were reported to law enforcement. Groover has prior arrests, for aggravated assault and domestic violence.

Despite all efforts from first responders at the scene and medical staff at the hospital, the unborn baby was unable to be saved.

“This was a violent and horrific double murder that ended the lives of an 21-year-old woman who was 8 months pregnant, and her unborn baby. When the suspect became enraged, family members and neighbors did everything they could to help her get away from him. Please keep this family in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Celebrate Sheriff Judd’s 50 Years Of Law Enforcement By Purchasing Limited Edition Bobblehead

Allison
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Celebrate Sheriff Judd’s 50 Years Of Law Enforcement By Purchasing Limited Edition Bobblehead

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

This is your last opportunity to celebrate Sheriff Judd’s 50 years of law enforcement by purchasing a Limited Edition bobblehead!

Bobbleheads are $20 each (exact cash only) and supplies are extremely limited.

All proceeds benefit Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc.

Bobbleheads are available at these PCSO locations:

Sheriff’s Operations Center: 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven
Central District: 3635 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven
Northwest District: 1045 Wedgewood Estates Blvd., Lakeland
Southwest District: 4120 US Hwy 98 South, Lakeland
Northeast District: 1100 Dunson Road, Davenport
Southeast District: 4011 Sgt. Mary Campbell Way, Lake Wales
Central County Jail: 2390 Bob Phillips Road, Bartow
South County Jail: 1103 US Highway 98 W., Frostproof

If you have questions please call 863-298-6242. Limit 2 per customer.

BobbleGrady #50Years #HappyAnniversarySheriffJudd

Polk Deputy’s Arrest Davenport Pokémon Card Thief

Carl Fish
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1
Polk Deputy’s Arrest Davenport Pokémon Card Thief

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office recently made an arrest following the investigation of two retail thefts from the Target store at Posner Park in Davenport.

The first theft occurred on July 12th and the second occurred two days later on July 14th.

The suspect had managed to swipe about nearly $500 worth of Pokemon cards on his first visit, and about $300 worth of Pokemon cards on his second go round. If you’ve ever purchased Pokemon cards for your child, you know that it doesn’t take many packs of cards to amount to those totals—they ain’t cheap.

On Monday, July 17th, the PCSO detective investigating this case located the suspect at his Davenport residence. His name is James Lebron Cordell II.

Some of the Pokemon cards were recovered at James’ residence, but he said he had thrown out the ones he didn’t want, so the detective wasn’t able to “catch ’em all.”

James Lebron was arrested and his talents were taken to the PCSO Sheriff’s Processing Center to be charged with Grand Theft and Tampering with Evidence.

Highlands County Man Sought For Attempted Murder After Allegedly Shooting A 11 Yr Old Boy

Carl Fish
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0
Highlands County Man Sought For Attempted Murder After Allegedly Shooting A 11 Yr Old Boy

WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER | Domonique Rakeem Graham, 30, is wanted for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery without intent to kill, shooting into an occupied conveyance, and child neglect in connection with a shooting that took place shortly after 9 p.m. last night on Sturgeon Drive in Sebring.

Graham involved himself in a domestic dispute that took place at a home on Sturgeon Drive. As a truck drove away from the residence with multiple children inside, Graham fired multiple rounds at the vehicle. One of the rounds struck an 11-year-old boy in the jaw, and a 12-year-old girl suffered a cut to her face from debris. The boy was airlifted to a trauma center where he is in stable condition, and the girl was treated and released.

“We have been told that family members are trying to not only hinder the investigation but also are actively working to hide Graham from us,” Sheriff Paul Blackman said. “I want his family to know that if we find out you have helped him avoid being captured and facing justice for this reckless act that almost killed a young boy, we will pursue criminal charges against you, as well.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 863-402-7250 or email[email protected]. Anonymous tips can be left via the HCSO app or with Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (**TIPS on your cell phone) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers tips are always anonymous and could result in a cash reward.

Man Killed In Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Crash In Lakeland

Carl Fish
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0
Man Killed In Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Crash In Lakeland


LAKELAND, FL (July 17, 2023) – On Sunday, July 16, 2023, at approximately 9:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of Williamstown Boulevard for a traffic crash involving a pedestrian. At the scene, officers located an unresponsive male who had been struck by a 2016 Nissan pickup truck. The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. Despite the efforts of first responders, the 62-year-old male pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Based on information gathered at the scene, officers believe the pedestrian was struck and killed while walking in the westbound lane, crossing Williamstown Boulevard. The driver of the pickup truck, Kenneth Spencer Hudson, was driving westbound on Williamstown Boulevard just prior to the crash. Hudson stopped immediately after the crash and remained at the scene. 

The roadway was shut down for approximately 2.5 hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. At this time, the deceased’s name is not being released pending the open investigation in accordance with Marsy’s Law.

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Inspector Ofc. Camilo Almeida [email protected]. 

Victim:

Male

Age:62

Address: Lakeland, FL

Driver:

Kenneth Spencer Hudson

Age: 42

Address: Lakeland, FL

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